Collapsible infant bed

ABSTRACT

An infant bed includes multiple base panels and multiple side and end panels extending therefrom, with the side and end panels typically including removable boards. Each of these panels is connected to adjacent of the panels along respective fold lines that enable the adjacent panels to be folded over on each other. By folding the panels in various ways, they can be converted from a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat to a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed and/or to a collapsed configuration for transport. Various attachments, flaps, and/or other features can be included for securing the panels in the bed and/or transport configurations, and handles can be included for carrying the bed in the transport configuration. Also, the bed can be nested within a bassinet for use, and upon removal of the bed the bassinet can be collapsed to a transport configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/152,845 filed Apr. 25, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/170,316 filed Jun. 3, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/170,888 filed Jun. 4, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/215,918 filed Sep. 9, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/215,943 filed Sep. 9, 2015, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of infant and children's products, and more particularly to devices for receiving and supporting a sleeping child.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous conventional products for receiving and supporting sleeping infants, including bassinets, cradles, and the like. Such child-support sleep devices typically include a receptacle for the child and a frame for supporting the child receptacle. Sometimes children are transported to locations away from home, for example when traveling with the family or staying with grandparents. For such situations, some child-support sleep devices have been developed that are foldable so they can be more easily transportable. For example, the support frame and/or the child receptacle can be foldable into a more compact configuration for transport. However, such foldable child-support sleep devices have not proven entirely satisfactory.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improvements in portable child-support sleep devices for children. It is to the provision of solutions meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY

Generally described, the present invention relates to a travel bed for infants that has several unique features. The infant bed includes multiple base panels and multiple side and end panels extending therefrom, with the side and end panels typically including removable reinforcement boards. Each of these panels is connected to adjacent of the panels along respective fold lines that enable the adjacent panels to be folded over on each other. By folding the panels in various ways, they can be converted from a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat to a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed and/or to a collapsed configuration for transport. Various attachments, flaps, and/or other features can be included for securing the panels in the bed and/or transport configurations, and handles can be included for carrying the bed in the transport configuration. Also, the bed can be nested within a bassinet for use, and upon removal of the bed the bassinet can be collapsed to a transport configuration.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are explanatory of typical embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a collapsible infant bed according to a first example embodiment of the present invention, showing the infant bed unfolded into a flat configuration for use as a play mat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the infant bed of FIG. 1, showing side panels with removable rigid boards.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the infant bed of FIG. 1, showing the side panels and the removable rigid boards.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the infant bed of FIG. 1, showing end and corner panels with a rigid board and a resilient fill material.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the infant bed of FIG. 1, showing features for use in converting between the flat play mat configuration and other configurations.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the infant bed of FIG. 1, showing a step of converting from the flat play mat configuration to a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed.

FIG. 7 shows the infant bed of FIG. 6 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 8 shows the infant bed of FIG. 7 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 9 shows the infant bed of FIG. 8 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 10 shows the infant bed of FIG. 9 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 11 shows the infant bed of FIG. 10 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 12 shows the infant bed of FIG. 11 in the infant bed configuration.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the infant bed of FIG. 1, showing a step of converting from the flat play mat configuration to a collapsed configuration for carrying/transporting.

FIG. 14 shows the infant bed of FIG. 13 in another step of conversion to the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 15 shows the infant bed of FIG. 14 in another step of conversion to the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 16 shows the infant bed of FIG. 15 in the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a collapsible infant bed according to a second example embodiment of the present invention, showing the infant bed unfolded into a flat configuration for use as a play mat.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the infant bed of FIG. 17, showing features for use in converting between the flat play mat configuration and other configurations.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the infant bed of FIG. 17, showing a step of converting from the flat play mat configuration to a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed.

FIG. 20 shows the infant bed of FIG. 19 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 21 shows the infant bed of FIG. 20 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 22 shows the infant bed of FIG. 21 in another step of conversion to the bed configuration.

FIG. 23 shows the infant bed of FIG. 22 in the infant bed configuration.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the infant bed of FIG. 17, showing a step of converting from the flat play mat configuration to a collapsed configuration for carrying/transporting.

FIG. 25 shows the infant bed of FIG. 24 in another step of conversion to the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 26 shows the infant bed of FIG. 25 in another step of conversion to the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 27 shows the infant bed of FIG. 26 in another step of conversion to the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 28 shows the infant bed of FIG. 27 in the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a collapsible infant bed nested within a collapsible bassinet according to a third example embodiment of the present invention, showing the infant bed and the bassinet both in a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the collapsible bassinet of FIG. 28 shown with the infant bed removed.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the infant bed of FIG. 30, showing a step of converting from the infant bed configuration to a collapsed configuration for carrying/transporting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-16 show a collapsible infant bed 100 according to a first example embodiment of the invention. The infant bed 100 is convertible between a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat (FIG. 1), a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed (FIG. 12), and a collapsed configuration for carrying/transport (FIG. 16). Other embodiments convert between only two of these configurations, for example from the receptacle/bed configuration to the collapsed/transport configuration only.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-5, structural details of the infant bed 100 will be described with reference to the flat play-mat configuration. The infant bed 100 includes multiple base or floor panels 102 and multiple side panels 104 and multiple end panels 106 that all extend outward from and are hingedly connected to the base panels. For example, the infant bed 100 can include three base panels 102 hingedly connected together in a row, six side panels 104 with three in a row extending from and hingedly connected to each side 110 of the base panels, and two end panels 106 with one extending from and hingedly connected to each end 112 of the base panels, as depicted. As such, the two end panels 106 are aligned with, have the same width as, and are positioned on opposite ends of the base panels 102. And pairs of the side panels 104 are aligned with, have the same length as, and are positioned on opposite sides of the base panels 102. The infant bed 100 also includes four corner panels 108 extending between and hingedly connected to the side and end panels 104 and 106, as depicted. In other embodiments, the infant bed includes another number of the panels selected to still provide the functionality described herein, for example two base panels and four side panels, for base panels and eight side panels, multiple end panels at each end etc.

The infant bed 100 in this configuration is generally rectangular-shaped with rounded corners. As such, the base, side, and end panels 102, 104, and 106 are generally triangular, and the corner panels 108 are generally pie-shaped with curved outer edges (ala a slice of pie, not a pie). In other embodiments, the infant bed is generally oval-shaped or has another regular or irregular shape, with one or more of the base, side, end, and/or corner panels having complementary shapes selected to produce the desired overall shape of the infant bed.

The infant bed 100 is formed by a continuous body divided into the base, side, end, and corner panels 102, 104, 106, and 108 by divider fold lines 114. The infant bed 100 is constructed of a top sheet 116 and a bottom sheet 118 connected together to form the continuous body, with a resilient material 120 contained between the top and bottom sheets in at least some of the panels (e.g., at least the floor panels 102). The resilient material 120 can be provided by foam, polyester fill, batting, or another conventional resilient material for providing a cushioning effect. The top and bottom sheets 116 and 118 are typically made of a soft flexible fabric and connected together by stitching or by other conventional fastening elements around their peripheries and along the divider fold lines 114. Thus, the divider fold lines 114 are typically formed by linearly stitching the top and bottom sheets 116 and 118 together directly with no resilient material between them to form a thinner (relative to where there is resilient material) linear zone providing a hinged connection that facilitates the intended folding action. In other embodiments, the infant bed is formed by assembling together some or all of the individual panels (e.g., along the fold lines), the panels are provided by formed slabs of the resilient material (without the top and/or bottom sheets), and/or some of the panels are combined/integrated together into larger panels without fold lines subdividing them (e.g., an integrated base panel with four or more side panels, or integrated side panels with multiple base panels). Regardless, the divider fold lines 114 permit the adjacent panels to be folded over on each other about them in various conversion procedures as described herein.

Referring to particularly FIGS. 2-4, the travel bed 100 of this embodiment includes rigid boards 122 in at least some of the panels, with the boards sized and shaped for being received within the respective panels. The rigid boards 122 are provided by rigid or semi-rigid support members such as corrugated plastic, cardboard, polypropylene board, other rigid material, or some combination thereof. In a typical commercial embodiment (see FIG. 3), the side panels 102 and end panels 104 each include rigid boards 122 (but not the resilient material), and the base panels 102 and the corner panels 106 each include the resilient material 120 (but not rigid boards). This is because the base and corner panels 102 and 108 are not structural and only ever provide cushioning, but the side and end panels 104 and 106 are positioned upright defining a peripheral retaining wall in the bed configuration, as described below. In other embodiments, the panels including rigid boards can additionally include a top/inner layer of the same or a different resilient material to provide a cushioning effect, and/or other of the panels include or exclude the rigid boards.

Preferably, the thickness of all of the panels 102, 104, 106, and 108 is substantially the same in the play mat configuration to avoid the child lying on uncomfortable edges of the boards. To accomplish this, the rigid boards 122 have a thickness that is substantially the same as the resilient material 120 when subjected to compression forces of normal use by an infant child (see FIG. 4), so the resilient material is selected with a thickness in a relaxed state that is greater than the board thickness. This generally uniform thickness design is preferably implemented regardless of which of the panels include rigid boards and which of them include resilient material. So more generally speaking, the thickness of the boards, the resilient material, or the combination of both, in each of the individual panels is selected to provide a thickness of the panels that is substantially uniform when subjected to compression forces of normal use by an infant child.

The rigid boards 122 can be removable from and replaceable into the respective panels 104 and 106, thereby permitting a caretaker to remove the boards from the travel bed 100 for laundering or other cleaning. For example, the side panels 104 can each include a slotted opening 124 (e.g., defined by adjacent edges of the respective panel) through which the respective board 122 can be removed/inserted and a closure 126 (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener, a zipper, or snaps) for releasably retaining the adjacent edges together (i.e., to close the opening). The adjacent edges of the respective panel 104 that define the opening 124 can overlap each other to provide attachment locations for the mating parts of the closure 126. For example, the opening 124 can be formed between the top and bottom sheets 116 and 118 at the periphery of the panel 104 with the top sheet having an extension flap that wraps around and overlaps with the bottom sheet (see FIG. 2). In other embodiments, the panels containing the resilient material also include openings and closures (e.g., a mattress or other resilient material can be removably insertable into one or more of the floor panels), and/or the boards, the resilient material, or both are permanently contained within the respective panels.

In addition, the rigid boards 122 can be connected together by attachments 128 so that when removed from the panels they do not get separated to provide for ease of storage and safekeeping. For example, the attachments 128 can be provided by strips of material each one coupled to and extending between two adjacent of the boards 122 with the adjacent boards spaced apart slightly from each other. The strip attachments 128 can be provided by cords, strings, cables, wires, fabric, webbing, or another elongate element that is preferably flexible to permit the boards to be folded over on each other in an accordion fashion. Typically, the strip attachments 128 are positioned adjacent to outer edges 130 of the adjacent boards 122, and the divider fold lines 114 between the adjacent panels 104 receiving the boards 122 each include a gap 132 (where the top and bottom sheets 118 and 120 are not connected) positioned adjacent to outer edges 134 of the panels 104. In this way, with the boards 122 in the adjacent panels 104, their strip attachments 128 are received in the gap 132 between them.

In other embodiments, extra pads or cushions of the resilient material are provided with the infant bed for inserting into the emptied panels (e.g., from which the boards have been removed) for use in the flat/play bed configuration. Also, for adjacent panels, the pads can be interconnected by the attachments (in the same manner as the adjacent boards, as described above) for receipt into the gaps so the pads do not get separated when removed and not in use.

As mentioned above, the infant bed 100 is convertible into the receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed, depicted in FIG. 12. In a preferred embodiment, the infant bed 100 is designed and constructed so that, in the receptacle/bed configuration, it meets a cylinder roll test. A preferred cylinder roll test ensures that the upright-positioned side and end panels 104 and 106, which function as peripheral retaining walls, are sufficiently rigid/reinforced that when the infant bed 100 is placed on a 20 degree slope, a 15 pounds cylinder placed on the base panels 102 does not roll out of the bed. In addition, the infant bed 100 in a preferred embodiment is designed and constructed so that, in the flat/play mat and receptacle/bed configurations, it meets a compression test. A preferred compression test ensures that the resilient material 120 when uncompressed does not exceed 1 inch (25 mm) in thickness, and the total thickness of the uncompressed mat/bed 100 (including the top and bottom sheets 116 and 118) does not exceed 1½ inch (38 mm), to avoid interfering with an infant's breathing when lying face-down on the bed.

In the flat/play mat configuration, the side, end, and corner panels 104, 106, and 108 all lay horizontally in the same general plane with the base or floor panels 102, with all of the panels resting on a support surface such as the floor. In this configuration, the infant bed 100 can be optionally provided with toys, a toy bar, a canopy, and/or other entertainment features (not shown), as desired. In addition, the infant bed 100 can be also optionally include indicia, storage pockets, and/or additional accessories (not shown).

Fastening components 136 are provided on the infant bed 100 to retain it in the receptacle/bed configuration with the side and end panels 104 and 106 upright and generally perpendicular to the base panels 102 (see FIG. 12). For example, the fastening components 136 can be located on the end panels 106 and the two adjacent corner panels 108 (see FIG. 5) to attach them together when in the receptacle/bed configuration (see FIGS. 8-9). In the depicted embodiment, the fastening components 136 are provided by loops 136 a positioned on each corner panel 108 and flexible hooks 136 b positioned on the end panel 106 between the corner panels. As depicted, the loops 136 a are provided by strips of a flexible material (attached at both ends to the respective panel) and the flexible hooks 136 b are provided by a strip with hook-and-loop fasteners at both end portions (attached at an intermediate portion to the respective panel) with each of the flexible strip hook ends receivable through a respective one of the loops. The loops 136 a can be positioned diagonally on the corner panels 108, for example generally along (e.g., offset slightly from) a diagonal centerline running between the interior corner and the exterior corner of the corner panels. In other embodiments, the fastening components are provided by snaps, buttons, zippers, belts, buckles, ties, or other conventional fastening components selected for providing the functionality described herein.

In addition, a cover flap 138 can be provided on each end of the infant bed 100 to cover the folded-up end and corner panels 106 and 108 as well as the fastening components 136 to conceal loose edges and provide a clean appearance. For example, the cover flap on 138 can have substantially the same size and shape as the adjacent end panel 106 that it covers, and it can be attached to and extending from an outer edge of that adjacent end panel. Mating fasteners 140 can be provided on the flap 136 and the adjacent corner panel 106 for securing the flap to the bottom sheet 118 (i.e., the outer surface in the receptacle/bed configuration) of the corner panel. The mating fasteners 140 can be provided by hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, buckles, ties, or other conventional fastening components selected for providing the functionality described herein.

Furthermore, fastening components 142 are provided on the infant bed 100 to retain it in the collapsed/transport configuration (see FIG. 16). For example, the fastening components 142 can be located on two of the base panels 102 (see FIG. 5) to attach them together when in the collapsed/transport configuration (see FIG. 16). In the depicted embodiment, the fastening components 142 are provided by a strap 142 a extending from the divider fold line 114 between one end-positioned base panel 102 and the adjacent end panel 106, and hook-and-loop fasteners 142 b on the other/opposite end-positioned base panel and on a free end portion of the strap. In other embodiments, the fastening components are provided by snaps, buttons, zippers, belts, buckles, ties, or other conventional fastening components selected for providing the functionality described herein. Also, one or more handles 144 can be provided for carrying the infant bed 100 in the collapsed/transport configuration. For example, two handles 144 can be provided, each extending from the divider fold line 114 between a respective one of the end-positioned base panels and the adjacent end panel 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-12, the process for converting the infant bed 100 from the flat/play mat configuration to the receptacle/bed configuration will now be described. Starting with the travel bed 100 lying flat in the play mat configuration of FIG. 1, the side panels 104 on one side and the end panel 106 on one end are folded (about the respective side and end fold lines 114) up into an upright position with the interposed corner panel 108 folded over on itself for example in half along the diagonal centerline, as shown in FIG. 6. Then the folded corner panel 108 is folded over onto the end panel 106, as shown in FIG. 7. The mating fastening components 136 a and 136 b are then fastened together (e.g., by running the flexible hook through the loop and folding it back over on itself) to secure the folded-over corner panel 108 to the end panel 106, with the near one of the side panels 104 now positioned adjacent the end panel, thereby securing the end panel and the side panels in their upright positions, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. The process is repeated for the other corner panel 108 and the same end panel 106 to secure that end of the infant bed 100, then the process is repeated for the other end.

The cover flap 138 is then folded over the end panel 106 and the folded-over corner panel 108, as well as over the fastening components 136, as shown in FIG. 10. And the fasteners 140 are mated together to hold the flap 138 in place as shown in FIG. 11. This reinforces the attachment of the panels together, conceals the underlying elements, and provides a neat and clean appearance. The conversion process is now complete with the infant bed 100 in the receptacle/bed configuration of FIG. 12, ready for safely and comfortably holding an infant.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, the process for converting the infant bed 100 from the flat/play mat configuration to the collapsed/transport configuration will now be described. Starting with the travel bed 100 lying flat in the play mat configuration of FIG. 1, the side panels 104 on both sides are folded over inward (about the respective side fold lines 114) to flat against the underlying base panels 102, as shown in FIG. 13. Typically, the side panels 104 do not overlap, because the side-to-side dimension (their height when upright in the receptacle/bed configuration) of each one is less than half of that of the base panels 102. Then the end panels 106 on both ends are folded over inward (about the respective end fold lines 114) to flat against the underlying side panels 104 and base panels 102, as shown in FIG. 14. And then the three folded base, side, and end panels 102, 104, and 106 are folded up (about the respective intermediate fold lines 114) until the two ends 112 of the two end-positioned floor panels are adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 15. Finally, the fastening components 142 are now positioned near each other, and they are now mated together to retain the infant bed 100 in the collapsed/transport configuration, with the three base panels 102 folded into a triangular shape (from an end view) housing the other panels, as shown in FIG. 16. And the handles 144 are now positioned atop the infant bed 100 in the collapsed/transport configuration, and a caregiver can grasp them to pick up and carry the collapsed infant bed.

FIGS. 17-28 show a collapsible infant bed 200 according to a second example embodiment of the invention. The infant bed 200 is convertible between a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat (FIG. 17), a receptacle configuration for use as an infant bed (FIG. 24), and a collapsed configuration for carrying/transport (FIG. 28). Other embodiments convert between only two of these configurations, for example from the receptacle/bed configuration to the collapsed/transport configuration only.

The infant bed 200 is similar to that of the first embodiment in many aspects of its design and construction. For example, the infant bed 200 includes base panels 202, side panels 204, end panels 206, and corner panels 208, and is formed by top and bottom sheets 216 and 218 attached together at divider fold lines 214 and containing rigid boards and/or a resilient material. As such, the panels that include boards and those that include resilient material can be the same as in the previous embodiment, or not, and the boards can be removable, or not.

In this embodiment, the end panels 206 are not attached to the adjacent corner panels 208, instead they define slits 245 between them that permit the end panels to be folded independently of the adjacent corner panels. In addition, one or more sets of fastening components are provided for retaining the side and end panels 206 and 208 in the upright position of the receptacle/bed configuration. For example, fastening components 246 can be positioned on the two corner panels 208 of each end (e.g., on the bottom sheet 218 of the infant bed 200) for adjacent positioning and engagement in the receptacle/bed configuration to secure them together. Such fastening components 246 can include a loop 246 a (a strip of a flexible material attached at both ends to the respective panel) and a flexible hook 246 b (by a strip of a flexible material) that can be routed through the loop and folded back over onto an attached to itself for example by fasteners 246 c (e.g., by the depicted hook-and-loop fasteners or by other fasteners such as snaps, buttons, buckles, or the like). Additional mating fastening components 248 can be positioned on the end panels 206 and the adjacent corner panels 208 (e.g., on the bottom and top sheets 218 and 216, respectively, of the infant bed 200) for alignment and mating in the receptacle/bed configuration to secure them together. Such additional fastening components 248 can include hook-and-loop fasteners (or other fasteners such as snaps, buttons, buckles, or the like). Further fastening components 250 can include slots 250 a formed in the infant bed 200 and tabs 250 b that can be extended through the respective slots for adjacent positioning and engagement in the receptacle/bed configuration, with the tabs removably attached to one of the bed panels (after being extended through its slot) by fasteners 250 c (e.g., by the depicted hook-and-loop fasteners or by other fasteners such as snaps, buttons, buckles, or the like), with the fasteners positioned adjacent the respective slots on the bottom sheet 218 of the infant bed 200. Each such slot 250 a can be formed along the end fold line 214 between a respective one of the corner panels 208 and the end-positioned adjacent side panel 204, and each such tab 250 b can extend from a free side 247 of the adjacent end panel 206. Optionally, an additional fastener part (e.g., one piece of hook-and-loop fastener; not shown) can be positioned on each adjacent corner pane 208, on the bottom sheet 218, so that when the infant bed 200 is in the flat/play mat configuration it mates with the fastener part 250 c on the tab 250 b to secure the adjacent end and corner panels 206 and 208 together.

In the depicted embodiment, all three types of fastening components 246, 248, 250 are provided to ensure the structural integrity of the peripheral wall formed by the side, end, and corner panels 204, 206, and 208 in the receptacle/bed configuration. In other embodiments, only one or two of these types of fastening components are provided, in any desired combination, and/or in combination with one or more other types of conventional fastening components, as may be desired.

Furthermore, fastening components 242 are provided on the infant bed 200 to retain it in the collapsed/transport configuration (see FIG. 26). For example, the fastening components 242 can be located on two of the base panels 202 (see FIG. 18) to attach them together when in the collapsed/transport configuration (see FIG. 26). In the depicted embodiment, the fastening components 242 are provided by a strap 242 a extending from the divider fold line 214 between one end-positioned base panel 202 and the adjacent end panel 206, and a loop 242 b on the other/opposite end-positioned base panel, so that the strap can be routed through the loop and attached to itself for example by fasteners (e.g., by the depicted hook-and-loop fasteners or by other fasteners such as snaps, buttons, buckles, or the like). In other embodiments, these fastening components are provided by snaps, buttons, zippers, belts, buckles, ties, or other conventional fastening components selected for providing the functionality described herein. Also, one or more handles 244 can be provided for carrying the infant bed 200 in the collapsed/transport configuration. For example, two handles 244 can be provided, each attached at and extending from the divider fold line 214 between a respective one of the end-positioned base panels 202 and the adjacent end panel 206.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-24, the process for converting the infant bed 200 from the flat/play mat configuration to the receptacle/bed configuration will now be described. Starting with the travel bed 200 lying flat in the play mat configuration of FIG. 17, the end panel 206 on one end is folded up (about the respective end fold line 214) into an upright position, with the adjacent corner panel 208 remaining lying flat, and with the fastener tabs 250 b in alignment with their respective fastener slot 250 a, as shown in FIGS. 19-20. Then the adjacent side panels 204 are folded up (about the respective side fold line 214) into an upright position, the adjacent fastener tab 250 b is inserted into its respective fastener slot 250 a, and the adjacent corner panel 208 is folded up and swung about 90 degrees (about the respective end fold line 214) to adjacent the upright end panel 206 with the fasteners 248 brought into mating engagement to retain the end and corner panels together, as shown in FIG. 20. Then the process is repeated to position the other side panels 204 in the upright position and secure the other adjacent corner panel 208 to the upright-positioned end the panel 206, as shown in FIGS. 20-21. The mating fastening components 246 a and 246 b are then fastened together (e.g., by running the flexible hook through the loop and folding it back over on itself) to secure the two folded-over corner panels 208 together, with the end-positioned one of the side panels 204 now positioned adjacent the end panel, thereby securing the end panel and the side panels in their upright positions, as shown in FIGS. 21-22. The fastener tabs 250 b, now extending through the fastener slots 25 b, are then secured to the outer surface of the bed at the fasteners 250 c, as shown in FIG. 23. This process is then repeated for the end and corner panels 206 and 208 at other end of the infant bed 200. The conversion process is now complete with the infant bed 200 in the receptacle/bed configuration of FIG. 24, ready for safely and comfortably holding an infant.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-28, the process for converting the infant bed 200 from the flat/play mat configuration to the collapsed/transport configuration will now be described. Starting with the travel bed 200 lying flat in the play mat configuration of FIG. 17, the end panels 206 on both ends are folded over inward (about the respective end fold lines 214) to flat against the overlying base panels 202, as shown in FIG. 25. Then the side panels 206 on both sides are folded over inward (about the respective side fold lines 214) to flat against the underlying base and end panels 202 and 206), and the adjacent corner panels 208 are folded over inward (about the respective fold lines 214) to flat against the underlying side panels (and the end and base panels 206 and 202 underlying them), as shown in FIG. 26. Typically, the side panels 204 do not overlap, because the side-to-side dimension (their height when upright in the receptacle/bed configuration) of each one is less than half of that of the base panels 202. And then the four folded base, side, end, and corner panels 202, 204, 206, and 208 are folded upward (about the respective intermediate fold lines number 214) until the two ends 212 of the two end-positioned floor panels are adjacent to each other, as shown in FIGS. 27-28. Finally, the fastening components 242 are now positioned near each other, and they are now mated together to retain the infant bed 200 in the collapsed/transport configuration, with the three base panels 202 folded into a triangular shape (from an end view) housing the other panels, as shown in FIG. 28. And the handles 244 are now positioned atop the infant bed 200 in the collapsed/transport configuration, and a caregiver can grasp them to pick up and carry the collapsed infant bed.

In the depicted embodiment, it is not necessary to first unfasten the fastener tabs 250 in order to achieve the collapsed/transport configuration. Instead, with the fastening components 246 and the fastening components 248 decoupled so that the corner panels 208 are not secured in the upright position of the receptacle/bed configuration, but with the fastening components 250 remaining coupled to hold the end panel 206 in the upright position of the receptacle/bed configuration, the end wall is folded down and in so that it collapses along the two symmetrical end-panel diagonal fold lines 252. In particular, a user can fold the side panels 204 toward the center of the base panel 206 and fold the ends of the end panel 206 toward each other to collapse them along the symmetrical diagonal fold lines 252. Then the conversion process to the collapsed/transport configuration can proceed from there by folding the corner panels 208 back over the side panels 204 then proceeding as shown in FIGS. 27-28. In other embodiments, the end panels include the symmetrical diagonal fold lines and are attached directly to the side panels, with the corner panels typically eliminated and without the ability to convert to the flat/play mat configuration (e.g., but still foldable between the receptacle/bed configuration in the collapsed/storage configuration).

FIGS. 29-31 show an infant bed 300 nested within a receptacle 354 according to a third example embodiment of the invention. The infant bed 300 can be of any of the types described herein or other conventional infant beds. In some embodiments, the infant bed 300 is removably coupleable to the receptacle 354 by fasteners such as hooks, clips, straps, zippers, or other fasteners. In the depicted embodiment, the receptacle 354 is a bassinet, though other types or styles of receptacles can be used. In some embodiments, the bassinet receptacle 354 is mountable to and supportable by a base or frame that also collapses to a transport configuration.

The bassinet 354 of the depicted embodiment includes a rigid base 356, a peripheral sidewall 358, a peripheral frame member 360, and two repositionable brace members 362. The peripheral sidewall 358 is made of a flexible material such as a soft fabric, is attached at its lower periphery to a periphery of the rigid base 356, and is attached at its upper periphery to the peripheral frame member 360 (e.g., the peripheral frame member can be covered by the peripheral sidewall, as depicted), to form an open-topped enclosure. The peripheral frame member 360 and the repositionable brace members 362 are made of a rigid material such as metal rods. The two repositionable brace members 362 are coupled to the base 356, the peripheral frame member 360, or both. For example, the brace members 362 can have upper portions coupled to the peripheral frame 360 by pivotal couplings 364 and lower portions coupled to the base 356 by loops 366 that permit a limited sliding travel, as depicted. In other embodiments, the brace members are coupled by guide tracks, telescoping members, or other coupling mechanisms.

The coupling arrangement of the brace members 362 enables them to be repositioned between an upright position and a collapsed horizontal position. In the upright position, the brace members 362 extend upward from the rigid base 356 to support the peripheral wall 358 in a tensioned upright use configuration (FIG. 30) by elevating the peripheral frame 360 and thus an upper portion of the peripheral wall. And in the collapsed/horizontal position, the brace members 362 are collapsed through a sliding pivotal motion downward onto the base 356 to enable the peripheral wall 358 and the peripheral frame 360 to be collapsed downward onto the base in a transport configuration (FIG. 31).

While the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions, and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant bed, comprising: a plurality of panels including at least one base panel, at least two side panels extending from sides of the base panel at side divider fold lines, and at least two end panels extending from ends of the base panel at it end divider fold lines, wherein the panels are convertible from a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat to a receptacle configuration for use as the infant bed and to a collapsed configuration for transport by folding the side and end panels about the side and end divider fold lines.
 2. The infant bed of claim 1, wherein in the receptacle configuration the side panels and the end panels are positioned generally upright, removably connected by fastening components, together form a peripheral retaining wall, and include rigid boards.
 3. The infant bed of claim 2, wherein the rigid boards are removable from the respective side and end panels.
 4. The infant bed of claim 3, wherein the side and end panels define slots through which the rigid boards can be inserted and removed and include openable closures for selectively securing the rigid boards in the respective panels.
 5. The infant bed of claim 3, wherein the at least two side panels includes at least four side panels, with two side panels on each of the respective sides of the base panel and with each of the side panels including a respective one of the rigid boards, and wherein the two rigid boards on each side are connected together by an attachment so that they are not separable when removed from the respective side panels.
 6. The infant bed of claim 5, wherein the attachment is positioned adjacent to outer edges of adjacent ones of the rigid boards, wherein an intermediate divider fold line between adjacent ones of the side panels defines a gap adjacent to an outer edge of the side panels, and wherein the attachment is received in the gap when the boards are received in the side panels.
 7. The infant bed of claim 2, wherein the base panel includes a resilient material, and in a compressed state the resilient material of the base panel and the rigid boards of the side and end panels have substantially the same thickness.
 8. The infant bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one base panel includes three base panels interconnected by intermediate divider fold lines, and wherein in the collapsed transport configuration the three base panels form a triangular shape and house the side and end panels therewithin.
 9. The infant bed of claim 8, further comprising fastening components positioned on a bottom side of the base panels that mate and engage each other to retain the base panels in the collapsed transport configuration.
 10. The infant bed of claim 9, further comprising at least one handle positioned on the bottom side of at least one of the base panels for carrying the bed in the collapsed transport configuration.
 11. The infant bed of claim 1, further comprising at least four corner panels each one positioned between two of the side and end panels, wherein the corner panels each contain a resilient material.
 12. The infant bed of claim 11, wherein the corner panels each have a diagonal centerline about which they fold when converting from the flat play-mat configuration to the receptacle bed configuration.
 13. The infant bed of claim 1, wherein the corner panels extend from and are attached to the adjacent side panel along the end divider fold line, but are separated from the adjacent end panel by a slit, wherein a tab extends from a free end of the adjacent end panel and extends through a slot in one of the panels or divider fold lines when the side, end, and corner panels are folded up into an upright position in the receptacle bed configuration, and wherein the tab includes a fastener for securing it to one of the panels.
 14. The infant bed of claim 13, wherein the tab stays in the slot and stays fastened to the respective panel when the bed is folded from the flat play-mat configuration to the receptacle bed configuration.
 15. The infant bed of claim 1 in combination with a bassinet, wherein the bassinet holds the infant bed in a nested arrangement when the infant bed is in the receptacle bed configuration, and wherein the bassinet is convertible between a receptacle configuration for holding the infant bed in the nested arrangement and a collapsed configuration for transport.
 16. An infant bed, comprising: three base panels interconnected by intermediate divider fold lines and collectively defining opposing sides and opposing ends, the base panels each containing a resilient material; six side panels extending from the sides of the base panels at side divider fold lines, three side panels on each side interconnected by the intermediate divider fold lines, the side panels each containing a rigid board; two end panels extending from the ends of the base panels at end divider fold lines, the end panels each containing a rigid board; and four corner panels each one positioned between two of the side and end panels, the corner panels each containing a resilient material, wherein the panels are convertible from a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat to a receptacle configuration for use as the infant bed and to a collapsed configuration for transport by folding the base, side, end, and corner panels, wherein in the receptacle configuration the side panels and the end panels are positioned generally upright forming a peripheral retaining wall, and wherein in the collapsed transport configuration the three base panels form a triangular shape and house the side and end panels therewithin.
 17. The infant bed of claim 16, wherein the rigid boards are removable from the side and end panels, wherein the side and end panels define slots through which the rigid boards can be inserted and removed and include openable closures for selectively securing the rigid boards in the respective panels.
 18. The infant bed of claim 17, wherein adjacent ones of the rigid boards on each side are connected together by an attachment so that they are not separable when removed from the respective side panels, wherein the attachment is positioned adjacent to outer edges of adjacent ones of the rigid boards, wherein the intermediate divider fold line between adjacent ones of the side panels defines a gap adjacent to an outer edge of the side panels, and wherein the attachment is received in the gap when the boards are received in the side panels.
 19. The infant bed of claim 16, wherein the corner panels each extend from and are attached to the adjacent side panel along the end divider fold line, but are separated from the adjacent end panel by a slit, wherein a tab extends from a free end of the adjacent end panel and extends through a slot in the end divider fold line between the corner panel and the adjacent side panel when the side, end, and corner panels are folded up into an upright position in the receptacle bed configuration, and wherein the tab includes a fastener for securing it to one of the panels.
 20. The infant bed of claim 16, further comprising fastening components positioned on a bottom side of the base panels that mate and engage each other to retain the base panels in the collapsed transport configuration, and at least one handle positioned on the bottom side of at least one of the base panels for carrying the bed in the collapsed transport configuration.
 21. The infant bed of claim 16, further comprising fastening components that mate and engage each other to retain the side and end panels in the upright position of the receptacle bed configuration.
 22. An infant bed, comprising: three base panels interconnected by intermediate divider fold lines and collectively defining two opposing sides and two opposing ends, the base panels each containing a resilient material; six side panels extending from the sides of the base panels at side divider fold lines, three side panels on each side interconnected by the intermediate divider fold lines, the side panels each containing a removable rigid side board, wherein the side panels each define a slot through which the respective rigid side board can be inserted and removed; two end panels extending from the ends of the base panels at end divider fold lines, the end panels each containing a removable rigid end board, wherein the end panels each define a slot through which the respective rigid end board can be inserted and removed; and four corner panels each connected to two of the side and end panels by the side and end divider fold lines, the corner panels each containing a resilient material, wherein the panels are convertible from a flat configuration for use as an infant play mat to a receptacle configuration for use as the infant bed and to a collapsed configuration for transport by folding the base, side, end, and corner panels, wherein the corner panels each have a diagonal centerline about which they fold when converting from the flat play-mat configuration to the receptacle bed configuration, wherein in the receptacle configuration the side and end panels are positioned generally upright forming a peripheral retaining wall with fastening bed components mating to retain the side and end panels in the upright position and with each end panel including a flap positionable covering the end panel and the fastening bed components, and wherein in the collapsed transport configuration the three base panels form a triangular shape housing the side and end panels therewithin with fastening transport components mating to retain the base panels in the collapsed transport configuration. 